Solutions Library

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Solar Safe Water System

Solvatten

[SOLVATTEN] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/learn-more/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/learn-more/”) is a combined portable water treatment and solar water heater system that has been designed for use at the household level in the developing world.

Snapshot

Manufacturing & delivery

Performance & use

Research & standards

Feedback

Product description

[SOLVATTEN] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/learn-more/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/learn-more/”) is a combined portable water treatment and solar water heater system that has been designed for use at the household level in the developing world.

Solvatten is currently active in 45 different projects with various international partners. Distributors include NGOs and online marketplace – [Kopernik] (http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device “http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device”)

Solvatten is available for purchase [online.] (http://www.solvatten.se/order/ “http://www.solvatten.se/order/”) For purchasing larger quantities for projects in developing countries, it is recommended to contact the sales team directly. Solvatten is also distributed [via Kopernik.]
(http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device “http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device”)

Distribution to date

Performance parameters

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Bacteria Removed (Log Scale)

<1

Capacity, unfiltered water (L)

10

End of Life Indicator (Y/N)

Y

Lifetime Volume (L)

46200

Protozoan Removed (Log Scale)

Unknown.

Safe water storage capacity (Y/N)

10 (self contained unit)

Turbidity

30

Virus Removed (Log Scale)

Unknown.

Design specifications

Solvatten is a portable 10 liter container that utilizes solar energy to heat and treat water at the household level. The unit does not require chemicals, spare parts or other supplies. [Solvatten] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/”) works by incorporating three established methods for treating water;
• Filtration: water is poured in through a hole housing a fabric filter that catches larger particles.
• Heat pasteurization: heat from the sun warms up the water, killing pathogenic material.
• UV-disinfection: The high energy associated with UV sunlight causes damage to the DNA of micro-organisms, rendering them unable to reproduce or infect. Users must expose the Solvatten to 2-6 hours of direct sunlight to achieve water that is treated within the ‘Highly protective’ category defined by [Swedish Cleantech.] (http://www.swedishcleantech.se/english/cleantechsectors/waterandwastewater/anaturalwaytosafeandhotwater.4.5fc5e021144967050481845.html “http://www.swedishcleantech.se/english/cleantechsectors/waterandwastewater/anaturalwaytosafeandhotwater.4.5fc5e021144967050481845.html”)

Under optimal conditions Solvatten can be used four times a day and treat up to 40 Litres of water per day. The unit does not work effectively during heavy cloud cover or rain. The SVI-10 indicator shows when the water is safe. In addition to safe water, Solvatten heats water to up to 75°C for household and hygiene purposes, such as cooking, hand washing, bathing and domestic cleaning.

[Solvatten](http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/”) provides guidance related to operation via graphic instructions that are printed on the unit. To date they have printed instructions in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Hindi and Swahili. Technical assistance services are not indicated.

Replacement components

The only part that may need replacing is the filter, which can be replaced with a folded piece of locally sourced cloth.

Lifecycle

On average, a Solvatten unit [lasts seven years](http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/”), but if handled with care it can last much longer. If a family uses Solvatten for seven years, treating 20 liters of water for 330 days a year, they will produce 46,200 Liters of safe water.

The unit includes a [1 year full warranty against manufacturing defects](http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device “http://www.kopernik.ngo/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device”), on condition the customer has followed the use and care instructions provided.

Manufacturer specified performance targets

Under optimal conditions Solvatten can be used four times a day and treat up to 40 Litres of water per day. Solvatten heats water to up to 75°C for household and hygiene purposes. [Safe, warm water is achieved in 2-4 hours,] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/”) when the sun is shining, 5-6 hours when it is partly cloudy.

Vetted performance

[SOLVATTEN has been tested] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/faq/”) using samples containing more than 200,000 colonies/100 ml – the results of this test showed that the treated water met the WHO’s safe drinking water standards of less than 1 colony/ 100ml. SOLVATTEN can treat highly resistant forms of bacteria, viruses and parasites. USEPA certified tests conducted in California in 2014 showed that water treated by SOLVATTEN reached the ‘Highly protective’ category, eliminating parasites, virus and E-coli. By comparison, chlorine and most filters are not able to achieve this level of protection.

SOLVATTEN recommends cleaning inside periodically, so that it continues working efficiently by simply adding a handful of dry beans, rice or lentils and some water to the unit, before shaking and rinsing. Soft woolen balls are another alternative here. Do not use sand, as it may scratch the surface, and do not use detergents.

Water treated by Solvatten falls into the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) [Highly protective category] (http://www.solvatten.se/learn/science-facts/ “http://www.solvatten.se/learn/science-facts/”) The materials used to make SOLVATTEN are fully approved by the FDA.

• Field trials were conducted by UN-habitat (2008) to assessing the effectiveness of Solvatten in Kathmandu, Nepal

Other information

In 2013 Petra Wadström won the prestigious [Polhem Prize for her invention Solvatten.] (http://www.ndf.fi/news/polhem-prize-goes-ncf-backed-innovation “http://www.ndf.fi/news/polhem-prize-goes-ncf-backed-innovation”)